Canine Vaccines:

Rabies

This viral disease is incurable and affects the central nervous system. It is spread through contact with saliva of infected animals, through bites or any break in the skin. Animals that can carry this disease include skunks, foxes, raccoons and bats. Vaccination will provide your pet with a much greater resistance to rabies, if exposed. There is no cure once contracted.

The first vaccine is given at 16 weeks (rabies vaccinations given before 12 weeks of age are not valid). After the first vaccination, a booster is given 1 year later and then every 3 years thereafter.

Distemper is spread from dog to dog through direct contact with respiratory secretions (sneezing/ coughing/ eye drainage), urine, or blood of an infected dog. The virus can attack various organs that may cause permanent damage. Non-vaccinated puppies and adolescent dogs are most at risk.

Parvovirus attacks rapidly dividing cells, most severely in the intestinal tract, causing severe vomiting and diarrhea. The virus also attacks the White Blood Cells. In young animals, this virus can damage the heart muscle causing life long cardiac problems. Parvovirus can be transmitted through any person, object, or animal that has come into contact with an infected dog's feces.

This vaccine is started in puppies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. A booster vaccine is given in 1 year and then every 3 years thereafter.

Kennel Cough/Parainfluenza

The disease complex is caused by various airborne bacteria and viruses, including Canine Parainfluenza virus, Canine Adenovirus Type II and Bordetella bronchiseptica. It causes a respiratory tract infection that is easily transmitted from dog to dog from sneezing or coughing, or contact with contaminated surfaces. The most common symptom is a honking/ hacking type cough. The dogs most at risk include ones that are in play groups, obedience training, daycare, boarding facilities, and dogs that frequent the dog park.

The first vaccine is given at 8 weeks of age. Vaccine is boosted yearly thereafter.

Leptospirosis

This infectious disease is caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria called Leptospira that lives in water or warm wet soil. Dogs become infected with leptospirosis by coming into contact with the urine of infected animals (dogs and/ or wildlife), usually by drinking contaminated water or playing in areas where infected urine is present. Leptospirosis can cause kidney and liver damage/failure. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transferred to humans.

The first vaccine is given at the age of 12 weeks or older. After the first vaccination is given, it needs to be boosted in 3-4 weeks. Vaccine boosted yearly thereafter.

Lyme Disease

This bacterial infection is transmitted by ticks to dogs, as well as to other animals and humans. Most Lyme's disease is transmitted by the deer tick in the Northeast, Southeast and upper Midwest. The western black-legged tick is the primary cause in the western states. The most common symptom of this disease is lameness and lethargy, due to painful joints.

The first vaccine can be given as early as 9 weeks of age. After the first vaccination, it needs to be boosted in 3-4 weeks. Vaccine boosted yearly thereafter.

Influenza Virus

Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) is a highly infectious respiratory infection in dogs often referred to as Canine Influenza or “dog flu.” CIV is spread by direct contact with respiratory discharge from infected animals, through the air by a cough or sneeze, or contact with contaminated objects (bowls/clothing). Symptoms include coughing, fever, discharge from nose or eyes, loss of appetite, and lethargy/lack of energy. There are two vaccines available for CIV. The H3N8 strain was originally found in Florida in 2004, and the H3N2 strain infected dogs in Chicago in 2015. H3N8 is not known to affect cats, but the H3N2 has caused infection in them. There is no vaccine available for cats.

If you take your dog to daycare or board them, please check with the facility to see if either vaccine is required.

The first vaccine can be given as early as 6 weeks of age. After the first vaccination, it needs to be boosted in 2-4 weeks. It takes 2 weeks after the second booster for the vaccine to take affect. Vaccine is boosted yearly thereafter.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes. Heartworms live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. It takes 6 months for larvae transferred by mosquitoes to mature and for heartworm antigen levels to be detected in the blood. Dogs may not show any symptoms or mild symptoms in the early stages of infection. Symptoms may include mild persistent cough, exercise intolerance, fatigue, decreased appetite and/or weight loss. The longer a dog is infected the more likely it will start to develop symptoms which can lead to heart failure and in some cases death. For more information on Heartworm disease please visit heartwormsociety.org.

We follow the guidelines of the American Heartworm Society. We recommend heartworm preventative be started at 8 weeks of age. Puppies can be tested between the ages of 6-9 months. We recommend that animals be tested yearly, even with preventative being given yearly. If your dog is from the south, we recommend they be tested 6 months after their last test. The 4DX Snap test also tests for three tick borne diseases; Lyme, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichiosis.

Feline Vaccines

Feline Panleukopenia Virus

This virus is highly contagious and is often a fatal disease in young cats. It is easily transmitted from cat to cat through contact with contaminated objects (food/ water bowls), grooming or from their mother. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Rhinotracheitis & CaliciVirus

They are all highly contagious and are widespread. High death rates occur in young cats and “old” cats. Symptoms of these diseases include sneezing, fever, nasal discharges, runny nose, coughing, Conjunctivitis (eyelid infections), mouth ulcers, and general depression.

FVR-CP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici and Panleukopenia) vaccinations are recommended for kittens at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. A booster vaccine is given yearly thereafter.

Feline Leukemia

Feline Leukemia Virus is a cancer-causing virus that often suppresses the ability to fight other infections. Kittens can be born with the virus. Cats can have the leukemia virus for years before showing signs of the disease. Feline Leukemia is not transmissible to humans or dogs. Feline leukemia is incurable! If your cat is an at risk cat, meaning that it goes outdoors and/ or lives in a house with a Feline Leukemia positive cat, there is a vaccine available.

Kittens need to be at least 9 weeks of age, with a negative feline leukemia test before starting the vaccine. The vaccine is a series of 2 being 3-4 weeks. Vaccine is boosted yearly thereafter.

Rabies

A fatal viral infection of the nervous system that attacks all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Rabies is a public health hazard and personal risk to you. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Indoor cats may even be infected through contact with a carrier in a basement, garage, or attic. There is no cure! Vaccination is very important for your safety, as well as the safety of your pet.

Kittens can receive a Rabies vaccine as early as 14 weeks of age, but we start the vaccine at 16 weeks of age. Vaccine is boosted yearly thereafter.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

A progressive and fatal disease. It is now said to be the number 2 killer of cats in the U.S. Many infected cats also harbor feline leukemia. Signs include loss of weight, labored breathing, enlarged abdomen, and generalized illness. There is no successful treatment once signs appear!

Vaccines against this disease are ineffective and may enhance symptoms. Therefore, we do not recommend the vaccine against this virus.

Heartworm

Cats are not the preferred host for heartworm, however, they can still become infected from mosquitoes. There is no treatment or testing available at this time for cats. If you are concerned about your cats risk, please contact us. We have heartworm preventative available in clinic or we can order it for you. ­